Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Mercury Mariner, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 9 | 27% |
| Engine | 5 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 15% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
90sWhile driving, the vehicle will suddenly display a warning message that says “Stop Safely Now”. When this message appears, the hybrid system overheats and the vehicle immediately loses power. The gasoline engine and e
NHTSA complaint: Engine
REAR-ENDED A SNOW PLOW GOING 30-35 MPH WHEN I WAS GOING 60 MPH AND THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR THE VEHICLES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND REGEN DISABLED SHOW UP AND THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE. I CAN SHUT IT OFF AND BACK ON AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL GO AWAY FOR A COUPLE MILES THEN BACK ON WITH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE RECALL THAT FORD IS RECALLS 2007MERCURY MARINER WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST SHUTS OFF I WAS WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH ALL 4 LANES THE ENGINE GETS HOT TEMPTER GAUGE READING NORM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MARINER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND WENT INTO OTHER GEARS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE ON ITS OWN. ON ANOT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TAKATA RECALL I WAS ON THE EXPRESS WAY IN MOTION AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN MEANING THAT ALL OF THE GADGES SHUT DOWN. THEN THE CAR JUST COAST UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER WITHOUT BEING HURT OR HURTING OTHER DRIVERS. NOTHING SHOWED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT I HAVE LOST 2ND GEAR AND 4TH GEAR IS ON ITS WAY OUT ON MY CAR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT AT LEAST SINCE 2012, ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORD MOTOR COMPANY PUBLICATION, MAY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY SON WAS USING OUR CAR HE DROVE IT TO WORK... ALL WAS FINE...HE USED THE CAR TO GO GET LUNCH IN THE SHOPPING CENTER... DROVE BACK FROM THE SHOPPING CENTER TO A PARKING SPOT OUTSIDE HIS JOB LOCATION... HE THEN COMPLETED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2007 Mercury Mariner. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fa
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on Oct
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a di
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 9 of them (27%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.